Family

Joseph's grandfather, Thomas Clover was the son of Norwich farrier and veterinary surgeon. He came to Aylsham as a young man, married Ann Barnard and set up business in a shop on the corner of Market Place and Hungate Street. They lived in an area of Aylsham known as Millgate and had many children, most of whom died in infancy. Only three sons survived into adult life - Joseph, who was to become a famous portrait painter, John Wright (Joseph's father) and Thomas.(1) John Wright took over the family business in 1803 when his father died, running away briefly to Gretna Green to marry his first wife, Elizabeth Taylor. She died at the age of 28 leaving a daughter, Ann. John Wright later married Elizabeth Mary Ann Peterson, and they had five children - Emma Elizabeth (1822-1894), John Peterson (1823-1883), Joseph Thomas (1825- 1882), Francis (1829-1853) and Elizabeth Anne (1833-1925). After the birth of their last child, Elizabeth inherited considerable estates from her uncle, John Bayfield Peterson. When Joseph moved to London for his studies, he remained close to his family and, after the sad death of his sister Francis (Fanny) from tuberculosis in early 1853, his family moved to London to live with him. He was also close to his Uncle Joseph, the painter, who lived in London and was a mentor and friend to him during his student years. He is often mentioned in his diaries and there are many surviving letters between them. Uncle Joseph also lent him money regularly as a student. When he died in 1853, he made Joseph his executor, leaving money to all his nieces and nephews.